Tesla Dumps Cybertruck in Australia
Deposits are being refunded as Tesla confirms the electric pickup will not come to right-hand-drive markets.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Tesla has ended the wait for the Cybertruck in Australia and New Zealand.
Reservation holders received email notifications today confirming their orders are void. The company stated that after careful consideration, plans to produce the truck for these regions have been discontinued. This decision effectively closes the chapter on the vehicle for a market that has been waiting for nearly seven years.
The first key point involves the financial settlement for customers. Tesla is issuing full refunds for all payments made on the reservations. These refunds are expected to be processed within 30 days. To sweeten the deal, the automaker is offering a free one-year subscription to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. This incentive is available to reservation holders who choose to order a new Model 3 or Model Y instead.
The second key point addresses the history of the delay. Australians began reserving the pickup in November 2019 with a deposit of A$150. For most of that period, the order page remained open, giving customers hope. However, Tesla quietly closed the reservation page in May 2022. At that time, the site was replaced with a 'Get updates' button, and no refunds were issued. Customers continued to wait without clear communication from the company.
The third key point explains the technical hurdle. The Cybertruck is currently built only in left-hand drive configurations. Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Japan require right-hand drive vehicles. Additionally, Australia has specific design certification rules that the truck must meet. Re-engineering the vehicle for these requirements would have been a significant cost for Tesla.
This cancellation comes shortly after Tesla reported its Q3 2026 earnings. The timing suggests a strategic shift in the company's international approach. Tesla has launched the Cybertruck in several left-hand-drive markets, including South Korea, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Israel. The vehicle remains blocked in the European Union, primarily due to pedestrian safety concerns.
Sales data supports the decision to pause right-hand-drive production. In Q3 2026, Tesla delivered 8,295 units in the 'Other Models' category. Since production of the Model S and Model X has ended, this figure largely represents Cybertruck sales. This equates to an estimated annual pace of 30,000 units. This volume is well below the 250,000 units per year that the production line was designed to handle.
The outlook for the Cybertruck suggests it will remain a niche product. It is now viewed primarily as a vehicle for North America and other left-hand-drive regions. The international expansion strategy is focused on finding buyers for existing inventory rather than adapting the design for new markets. For Australian and New Zealand customers, the long wait is finally over, with refunds on the way.
Source: Electrek
